Plegadis falcinellus HOW TO IDENTIFY: * Length: 19 inches Wingspan: 37 inches * Sexes similar * Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader * Bill long, dark gray, and decurved * Dark brown eye * Holds neck extended in flight Adult alternate: * Bare facial skin at lores is blue-gray * Bare facial skin bordered partially with a white or pale blue band that is of varying width and does not encircle the back of the eye * Legs gray to dull red * Head, neck, back and belly an iridescent purple-red, appearing entirely dark or black at a distance or in poor light * Iridescent green wings and tail Adult basic: * Gray facial skin * Border to bare facial skin still present but dull gray * Gray-green legs * Head, neck, back and belly a duller gray-brown without iridescence * Head and neck streaked with white Immature: * Dull gray brown head, neck, back and belly sometimes with white streaking * Facial skin dull blue-gray, develops dull gray border during first autumn * Gray-green legs Similar species: Curlews also have long decurved bills but are much smaller, brown above and white below, not black and iridescent. Immature White Ibis has a white belly. The White-faced Ibis is very similar in all plumages. Adult White-faced Ibis has a red, not brown, eye. In alternate plumage the White-faced Ibis has an even white band around the bare red facial skin and has redder legs. Immatures are extremely similar.
Full_View
;)
;)
;)
;)
What's history without legend?
